Sin's morning began with a boot pressed against his face.
This was not unusual.
The unusual part was that he had been awake before it happened.
Barely.
He lay across one of the couches in the temporary Outcast Base, half-covered by a blanket that had somehow wrapped around only one leg. His white hair was flattened on one side, his mask hung crooked beneath his chin, and one fox ear twitched beneath the pressure of Venus's heel.
Venus stood over him with her arms crossed.
She had already changed out of her travel gear and into a fitted dark uniform beneath a pale blue mantle. Her vivid blue hair was tied high behind her head, and her icy eyes carried the calm fury of someone who had discovered a problem and immediately identified the idiot responsible.
Sin opened one eye.
[Morning.]
Venus pressed down harder.
[Explain.]
Sin's face sank deeper into the cushion.
[You'll need to narrow that down.]
Venus pointed across the room.
Titania sat at the long table, eating breakfast in a torn traveling cloak, an oversized black shirt, and trousers that had clearly belonged to someone taller and broader than her.
The sleeves covered most of her hands.
The waist had been tightened with a strip of rope.
One boot was slightly larger than the other.
Titania slowly raised a spoon toward her mouth.
She looked exhausted.
Not sleepy.
Defeated.
Venus turned back toward Sin.
[Why is she dressed like she stole clothes from a dead mercenary?]
Titania paused.
[They were clean.]
Venus's eye twitched.
Sin raised one finger.
[See? Clean.]
Venus removed her boot from his face.
Sin inhaled.
Then she grabbed the front of his shirt and hauled him upright with one hand.
[She arrived here wearing a slave's rags.]
[Correct.]
[Her cloak was destroyed during your "training."]
[Damaged.]
Titania lifted one torn corner of the cloak.
A large claw mark had split the fabric almost completely in half.
[Destroyed,] she corrected.
Sin looked at it.
[It has character.]
Venus tightened her grip.
[And instead of buying her proper clothing, you gave her whatever you found in storage?]
[I gave her options.]
Titania looked toward the pile beside her chair.
There was a leather breastplate missing its left strap, a wool sweater with three holes in the chest, a pair of trousers large enough to house two people, and something that may once have been a ceremonial robe before someone used it to clean a forge.
Titania looked back at Venus.
[Those were the options.]
Venus's expression became still.
Dangerously still.
Sin glanced toward the nearest exit.
Ice formed across the door.
He looked toward the window.
More ice.
He slowly looked back at Venus.
[This feels excessive.]
[You brought a sixteen-year-old girl into this guild without clothes, supplies, bedding, or basic necessities.]
[She has bedding.]
From somewhere down the corridor came the sound of wood collapsing.
Titania took another bite of breakfast.
[The training dummy destroyed the bed.]
Venus stared at Sin.
Sin thought quickly.
[The floor is comfortable.]
The temperature in the room dropped.
A thin layer of frost spread over the table.
Titania pulled her oversized sleeves over her hands.
Sin's ears flattened.
Venus smiled.
It was a gentle smile.
A lovely smile.
A smile that promised structural damage.
[Sin.]
[Yes?]
[Do you remember what happened the last time I became genuinely angry with you?]
Sin looked toward the frozen wall.
[The lake never thawed.]
[Correct.]
[In my defense, the fish adapted.]
Venus pulled him closer.
[You have ten seconds to give me one good reason why Titania does not have proper clothes.]
Sin stared into her eyes.
Then glanced toward Titania.
Titania watched with open interest.
He looked back at Venus.
[I forgot.]
Silence.
Venus released him.
Sin fell backward onto the couch.
Titania blinked.
[That worked?]
Venus calmly removed one glove.
Sin sat up.
[No.]
The glove hit him across the face.
Then the yelling began.
[HOW DO YOU FORGET CLOTHING?!]
[I remember wearing it.]
[NOT YOUR CLOTHING!]
[I'm not responsible for everyone's pants!]
[YOU ARE THE LEADER!]
[THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME A TAILOR!]
Titania remained at the table.
She ate quietly while Venus chased Sin around the base.
The argument moved through the main hall, into the kitchen, down one corridor, and back through another.
Sin vaulted over the central map table.
Venus walked around it.
She did not rush.
She did not need to.
Each exit froze shut before he reached it.
[You gave her one spoon!]
[She only has one mouth!]
[There are no towels in her room!]
[Air-drying builds resilience!]
[Her shoes don't match!]
[Neither do mine!]
Titania looked under the table.
Sin's boots matched perfectly.
[They match,] she called.
Sin looked betrayed.
[Whose side are you on?]
[The side with proper clothing.]
Venus pointed at Titania.
[Exactly.]
Sin skidded across the floor as ice formed beneath him.
He crashed into a chair, spun around it, and somehow came to a stop sitting upright.
He raised one hand.
[Counterargument.]
Venus folded her arms.
[Go ahead.]
[She survived.]
Venus stared at him.
Titania stared at him.
The entire base seemed to stare at him.
Sin slowly lowered his hand.
[Weak counterargument.]
[Very.]
Venus turned away from him and walked toward Titania.
Her expression softened immediately.
The shift was so sudden Titania nearly looked behind herself to see whether someone else had entered.
Venus stopped beside her.
[Finish eating.]
Titania swallowed.
[Why?]
[We're going shopping.]
Titania looked down at herself.
Then toward Sin.
Sin was attempting to untangle himself from the chair.
[With him?]
Venus did not even look back.
[No.]
Titania nodded.
[Good.]
Sin finally freed himself.
[I feel excluded.]
Venus picked up the broken training dummy's wooden arm and threw it.
Sin ducked.
The arm buried itself in the wall behind him.
[You are excluded,] Venus said.
Sin looked at the arm.
[That was one of our good walls.]
Titania pushed her empty bowl away.
A smile threatened the corner of her mouth.
Perhaps Venus returning was the best thing that had happened since her escape.
Thirty minutes later, Titania stood outside the temporary base beside Venus.
Morning sunlight washed over the older western district of Rize. Even here, far from the radiant central crown, the city remained breathtaking.
White stone buildings rose along the sloping roads. Blue waterways curved between the districts, carrying small cargo boats beneath arched bridges. Far above them, the heart of Rize gleamed beneath the sun, its immense circular structures and towering white spires visible from nearly every corner of the city.
Titania still had not grown used to it.
She doubted anyone truly could.
Venus adjusted the clasp of her pale blue cloak.
Titania glanced back toward the base.
From inside came a crash.
Then Sin's voice.
[I'm fine.]
Venus continued walking.
Titania followed.
[Are we leaving him alone?]
[Yes.]
[Is that safe?]
[For him or the building?]
Titania thought about it.
[The building.]
[No.]
They continued down the stone road.
Titania looked at Venus from the corner of her eye.
The Vice Captain of the Outcasts moved with an effortless confidence that drew attention without appearing to seek it. Her dark swordmage clothing was fitted neatly beneath silver armor, and the Helios Fusion Blade rested at her side.
People noticed the weapon.
They noticed Venus more.
Some adventurers nodded respectfully.
Others quickly moved aside.
One merchant smiled at her until her eyes passed over him, then suddenly became very interested in arranging vegetables.
Titania finally spoke.
[Everyone seems afraid of you.]
Venus smiled faintly.
[Respect takes many forms.]
[That looked like fear.]
[Fear is efficient.]
Titania considered that.
[Sin is afraid of you.]
[Sin is afraid of consequences.]
[He doesn't act like it.]
[Sin believes consequences are distant animals that only attack other people.]
Titania covered a laugh with her hand.
Venus glanced at her.
[You've noticed.]
[He woke me up with an armed training dummy.]
Venus stopped walking.
The smile left her face.
[He did what?]
Titania immediately realized she had made a mistake.
[It was wooden.]
Venus's eyes narrowed.
[That does not improve it.]
[It had a note.]
[What did the note say?]
Titania hesitated.
["Good morning."]
Venus slowly turned her head toward the direction of the base.
A pale mist drifted from her lips.
Titania gently caught her sleeve.
[We can deal with him later.]
Venus looked down at Titania's hand.
Then at her face.
The anger eased.
[You're protecting him?]
[I'm protecting the building.]
Venus nodded.
[Wise.]
They resumed walking.
Rize's commercial district was nothing like the western warehouses Titania had seen the previous day.
It was a river of color, sound, and money.
Tall storefronts lined broad marble streets. Enchanted signs floated above doorways, changing shape as people passed beneath them. Tailors displayed dresses that shimmered with protective runes. Armorers sold polished equipment beneath glowing crystal lamps. Perfume merchants filled the air with floral scents, while jewelers displayed gemstones suspended inside tiny anti-gravity fields.
Titania slowed.
She had grown up surrounded by noble wealth.
At least, she had once thought so.
Rize made her family estate look small.
The district was not merely expensive.
It was theatrical.
Every building seemed determined to outshine the one beside it.
Venus watched Titania's eyes move across the displays.
[Overwhelmed?]
[No.]
Venus raised an eyebrow.
Titania looked toward a three-story boutique whose windows displayed robes that changed colors with the sunlight.
[Slightly.]
[Good. That means you still have standards.]
Titania crossed her arms.
[I had clothes before.]
Venus's expression changed.
Titania immediately regretted how defensive the words sounded.
She looked away.
[Before everything happened.]
Venus remained quiet.
The crowd moved around them.
A group of wealthy women passed, laughing softly beneath lace-covered parasols. An adventurer argued with a tailor over the price of enchanted socks. Somewhere nearby, a child begged his mother for a miniature knight's cape.
Titania's fingers tightened around her sleeves.
[My family had people choose everything for me,] she said. [What I wore. How I stood. Which colors were appropriate. Which jewelry meant what. I was never allowed to look careless.]
Venus looked ahead.
[And now?]
Titania glanced down at the rope holding her trousers in place.
[Now I look like I lost a fight against a laundry basket.]
Venus smiled.
[Then today will be educational.]
Titania narrowed her eyes.
[You sound like Sin.]
[Take that back.]
[Immediately.]
Venus led her toward a large shop decorated with pale gold trim and green crystal lanterns.
Above the doors floated the words:
The Silver Dandelion
Titania looked through the window.
The clothing inside was beautiful.
Soft white capes.
Dark fitted corsets.
Layered shorts and skirts designed for movement.
High boots reinforced with metal accents.
Gloves, belts, satchels, stockings, scarves, protective charms, and dozens of small accessories arranged across polished displays.
Titania stopped.
Venus opened the door.
[Come.]
Titania remained outside.
Venus glanced back.
[What is it?]
Titania looked at the shop again.
[I don't have money.]
The words came out quieter than she intended.
Venus studied her.
Titania's face warmed.
She hated this.
Hated how quickly the truth made her feel small.
Her family's name had once opened doors.
Now it belonged to people who had abandoned her.
The money she carried amounted to a handful of coins from her first mission.
Not enough for clothing like this.
Venus stepped back outside.
[You're an Outcast.]
Titania frowned.
[What does that have to do with anything?]
[Everything.]
Venus reached into her cloak and removed a small black card edged in silver.
The Outcast emblem was engraved across its surface.
[The guild pays for equipment, medicine, lodging, and necessities.]
Titania stared at the card.
[Sin never mentioned that.]
[Sin once forgot we owned a treasury.]
[How does someone forget a treasury?]
[He found it again when he needed snack money.]
Titania closed her eyes.
Of course he did.
Venus continued.
[You are not receiving charity. You are a member of the guild. Proper clothing is equipment, especially for a mage who intends to survive combat.]
Titania looked at her.
Venus's tone had been practical.
Firm.
There was no pity in it.
That mattered more than Titania expected.
[What if I choose something expensive?]
[Then I'll tell you no.]
[That was quick.]
[I'm caring, not foolish.]
Titania slowly followed her inside.
The boutique smelled of clean fabric, cedarwood, and faint floral perfume.
A woman with silver spectacles approached them almost immediately.
She was short, elegant, and moved with the terrifying speed of someone who had built an empire by judging people's measurements from across a room.
Her eyes passed over Venus.
Then Titania.
Then the torn cloak.
The mismatched boots.
The rope belt.
Her lips tightened.
[Who did this?]
Venus pointed behind herself, toward the distant temporary base.
[Sin.]
The shopkeeper nodded as though this explained everything.
[I see.]
Titania looked between them.
[Does everyone know him?]
The woman adjusted her spectacles.
[Unfortunately.]
Venus placed the guild card on the counter.
[Full traveling wardrobe. Mage-compatible. Durable. Flexible. Suitable for moderate enchantments.]
The shopkeeper looked at Titania again.
[Color preference?]
Titania hesitated.
No one had ever asked her that before.
Her family had always selected pale blue, silver, and formal black.
Colors appropriate for the Astro family.
Colors chosen to represent restraint, intelligence, and noble lineage.
She looked around the shop.
White fabric caught the sunlight.
Dark brown leather seemed practical.
Muted green reminded her of the forest, but not the terror of that night. The quiet after. The moment the collar broke.
[White,] Titania said. [Brown. Maybe pale green.]
The shopkeeper nodded approvingly.
[Good foundation.]
Venus leaned closer.
[No ceremonial robes.]
Titania looked offended.
[I wasn't going to choose ceremonial robes.]
Venus looked at her.
Titania paused.
[Perhaps one.]
[No.]
[You said this was educational.]
[Lesson one: capes get caught on doors.]
[You wear a cape.]
[I know how to walk.]
Titania stared.
Venus's mouth curved.
[That was a joke.]
[You joke?]
[Occasionally.]
[Sin made you sound terrifying.]
[Sin once hid from me inside a barrel for two hours.]
Titania's eyes widened.
[Why?]
[He sold my old armor to pay for cake.]
Titania slowly turned toward the entrance, as though she could see through the city and directly into Sin's soul.
[He sold your armor?]
[It was damaged.]
[Did you forgive him?]
[No.]
[How long ago was this?]
[Six years.]
Titania nodded.
[Reasonable.]
Venus looked pleased.
The shopkeeper clapped once.
Three attendants appeared.
Titania's confidence vanished.
[Why are there so many of them?]
[Measurements,] Venus said.
Titania stepped back.
The attendants stepped forward.
[No.]
Venus gently pushed her toward them.
[Yes.]
[Venus.]
[You survived a C-Rank monster.]
[That monster didn't have measuring tape.]
[Then this should be easier.]
It was not.
The next hour was war fought through fabric.
Titania was measured, turned, pinned, adjusted, and examined from every angle.
The attendants were relentless.
One measured her shoulders.
Another examined the length of her legs.
A third held fabric against her skin and muttered about undertones as though solving a military crisis.
Titania emerged from the first changing room wearing a heavily decorated white dress with layered sleeves and a long train.
Venus looked up from her tea.
[No.]
Titania frowned.
[I haven't even turned around.]
[You can't run in it.]
[I could learn.]
[No.]
The second outfit involved a blue robe, silver cords, and a hat large enough to develop its own weather.
Venus stared.
Titania adjusted the brim.
[This one has presence.]
[It has a postal district.]
[That sounds useful.]
[No.]
The third outfit consisted of fitted black trousers, a sleeveless tunic, and enough exposed skin that Titania immediately walked back into the changing room without speaking.
Venus sipped her tea.
[Agreed.]
The fourth was covered in small protective bells.
Titania took one step.
The entire room chimed.
Venus closed her eyes.
[Absolutely not.]
Titania shook one leg.
The bells jingled again.
[It could warn enemies.]
[It would warn countries.]
The fifth outfit was more practical.
A fitted white blouse beneath a structured dark-brown corset, paired with black-green shorts designed for movement. Multiple leather belts wrapped around the waist, holding pouches for herbs, potions, scrolls, and magical components.
A soft white mantle rested over Titania's shoulders, fastened by a flower-shaped gold clasp. The fabric faded into pale green toward the edges, embroidered with delicate dandelion patterns.
A longer translucent layer flowed behind it, light enough not to interfere with movement.
Fingerless brown gloves protected her hands.
Dark thigh-high boots covered her legs, reinforced with gold-edged armor around the knees and shins.
Titania stepped from the changing room.
Venus lowered her cup.
For once, she did not immediately criticize anything.
Titania shifted uncomfortably.
[What?]
Venus stood.
She slowly walked around her, examining the seams, straps, protective stitching, and movement of the fabric.
Titania's posture stiffened automatically.
Chin raised.
Back straight.
Hands still.
The posture of an Astro daughter awaiting judgment.
Venus stopped in front of her.
[Relax.]
Titania blinked.
[I am relaxed.]
[You look as though someone is about to grade you.]
Titania looked away.
Venus reached up and adjusted the pale green ribbon at Titania's collar.
[You're not at your family estate.]
The words were gentle.
Titania's shoulders lowered slightly.
Venus stepped back.
[Move.]
Titania frowned.
[Move how?]
[However you like.]
Titania raised one arm.
Twisted at the waist.
Took two quick steps.
The mantle shifted cleanly without tangling.
She crouched.
The boots flexed comfortably.
She reached for the Gemini Staff, which rested against the wall, and spun it once through her hands.
The outfit followed every motion without restriction.
Titania looked down.
It was beautiful.
Not noble.
Not ceremonial.
Not something chosen to display her family's wealth.
It looked like clothing meant for her.
A mage.
An adventurer.
An Outcast.
[This one,] she said.
Venus nodded.
[I agree.]
The shopkeeper appeared from nowhere.
[Excellent choice.]
Titania nearly jumped.
[How long were you standing there?]
[Long enough.]
The woman began writing down adjustments.
[The mantle will receive basic stain resistance and temperature regulation. The boots can be reinforced against minor impact. The inner blouse will be woven with low-level mana-conductive thread.]
Titania's eyes widened.
[How much does that cost?]
Venus handed over the card.
[Enough.]
Titania looked at her.
Venus continued calmly.
[We'll also take two spare sets, casual clothing, sleepwear, winter layers, rain protection, undergarments, and a proper travel bag.]
Titania's face reddened.
[You didn't have to say undergarments out loud.]
The shopkeeper did not look up.
[Everyone wears them.]
[That doesn't mean we discuss them.]
Venus smiled behind her cup.
[You're shy.]
[I am not.]
[Your ears are red.]
Titania covered them.
[The shop is warm.]
[Of course.]
Titania narrowed her eyes.
Venus looked entirely too entertained.
By the time they left the Silver Dandelion, Titania carried nothing.
This was because Venus had purchased enough clothing to outfit a minor expedition, and the shop had agreed to deliver everything directly to the base.
Titania wore the new adventuring outfit immediately.
The pale mantle moved gently behind her as they stepped into the sunlight. The gold accents caught the light without appearing overly decorative. Her boots felt stable against the stone road, and the pouches at her waist gave her space for everything she might need in the field.
She kept glancing down at herself.
Venus noticed.
[Do you dislike it?]
Titania quickly looked up.
[No.]
[Then stop checking whether it's still there.]
Titania touched one of the leather pouches.
[It feels strange.]
[New clothes usually do.]
[Not that.]
They continued through the crowd.
Titania searched for the right words.
[It's the first thing I've chosen for myself.]
Venus slowed.
Titania looked toward one of the nearby canals.
Blue water sparkled beneath the afternoon light.
[Even when I was young, everything had meaning. Colors represented the family. Jewelry represented rank. Sleeve length represented age and marriage eligibility. Every choice belonged to someone else.]
She looked down at the flower clasp resting near her shoulder.
[This doesn't mean anything.]
Venus stood beside her.
[It means you chose it.]
Titania looked at her.
Venus's expression was calm.
[That is not nothing.]
For a moment, Titania did not know what to say.
A warm sensation gathered in her chest.
It was uncomfortable.
Not painful.
Just unfamiliar.
She looked away.
[You're different from what Sin implied.]
[What did he imply?]
Titania considered lying.
Then remembered Sin deserved nothing.
[That you were manipulative, selfish, frightening, and likely to freeze me.]
Venus stared ahead.
[Mostly accurate.]
Titania blinked.
[That was not the answer I expected.]
[I can be kind without pretending to be harmless.]
Titania studied her.
There was no shame in Venus's voice.
No attempt to soften the truth.
[Why did you join the Outcasts?]
Venus's smile faded slightly.
[That story costs more than clothing.]
Titania immediately felt foolish.
[You don't have to tell me.]
[One day.]
Venus resumed walking.
Titania followed.
After a few steps, Venus spoke again.
[Sin gave me somewhere to stand when every other place expected me to kneel.]
Titania looked at her.
Venus did not continue.
But it was enough.
More than enough.
Titania understood.
Perhaps everyone in the Outcasts had a version of that story.
Different chains.
Different wounds.
The same door opening at the end.
Venus took Titania through several more stores.
A potion shop.
A spell-component market.
A stationery shop filled with enchanted paper.
A small bakery where Venus bought a box of honey pastries and explicitly warned Titania not to tell Sin.
Titania looked down at the box.
[Why?]
[Because he will eat all of them.]
[He can't eat all of them if we don't let him.]
Venus gave her a meaningful look.
Titania remembered the crater inside Warehouse Seventeen.
[He can eat all of them.]
[Exactly.]
At the component market, Venus taught her how to identify low-quality mana crystals.
[Cloudy edges mean unstable storage,] Venus explained, holding one toward the light. [Cracks reduce efficiency. Artificial coloring often hides impurities.]
Titania examined another.
[This one has a fracture near the center.]
[Good.]
[And the mana inside is pulsing unevenly.]
Venus nodded.
[Very good.]
The merchant behind the stall began sweating.
Titania looked at the price tag.
[He's charging triple.]
Venus smiled at the merchant.
The temperature around the stall dropped.
The man immediately lowered the price.
Titania watched with fascination.
[Is this what you meant by efficient fear?]
[Yes.]
[Teach me.]
Venus placed the crystal back.
[First, learn to smile without looking apologetic.]
Titania tried.
The merchant took one look at her expression.
[Please stop.]
Titania frowned.
Venus laughed.
It was soft and brief, but real.
Titania looked at her.
Venus cleared her throat.
[You looked constipated.]
Titania's face reddened.
[I was trying to be threatening!]
[You threatened digestion.]
[You said smile!]
[Not like you're fighting for your life.]
Titania crossed her arms.
[Sin's smile is threatening.]
[Sin smiles when he should seek medical attention.]
Titania could not argue with that.
They ate lunch at a small café overlooking one of Rize's elevated canals.
The restaurant's terrace stood high above the street, providing a clear view of the city.
From there, Titania could see the endless white-blue metropolis spreading toward the horizon. The central crown rose in the distance, radiant and enormous. Bridges webbed between towers. Airships moved above the rooftops. Sunlight danced across waterways that divided Rize into gleaming districts.
Titania rested her arms on the railing.
[How can a city become this large?]
Venus stirred tea into her cup.
[Money, magic, labor, conquest, and good propaganda.]
Titania glanced back.
[That answer was less beautiful than the view.]
[Cities rarely survive on beauty.]
Titania sat across from her.
[Was the Outcast Base always here?]
Venus paused.
[No.]
Titania waited.
Venus lifted her cup.
[The building we're currently using is temporary.]
Titania blinked.
[Temporary?]
[Yes.]
[Sin called it the Outcast Base.]
[Sin once called a cave "the eastern office."]
[Was it an office?]
[There was a rock and one chair.]
Titania slowly set down her fork.
[Then where is the real base?]
Venus pointed toward the northern side of Rize.
Beyond several layers of towers stood an enormous raised district close to the city's outer ring. Titania could barely see the structure through the distance, but one section appeared covered in scaffolding and floating construction platforms.
[There.]
Titania narrowed her eyes.
[That massive building?]
[Part of it.]
[Part?]
[The entire fortified complex belongs to the Outcasts.]
Titania stared.
The structure looked like a castle had married a guild hall and produced a small military nation.
Even from afar, she could see several wings, high walls, training fields, towers, and a central keep.
[That is your actual base?]
[Our actual base.]
Titania looked back at Venus.
[Why are we living inside an old fortress beneath vines?]
[Renovations.]
[What happened to it?]
Venus took a sip.
[Luna.]
Titania waited.
Venus did not elaborate.
[That cannot be the entire explanation.]
[She transformed indoors.]
Titania's eyes widened.
[Into a dragon?]
[Yes.]
[Why?]
[She saw a spider.]
Titania stared at the distant complex.
[How large was the spider?]
Venus considered this.
[Normal.]
Titania slowly looked down at her food.
[And she destroyed the base?]
[Only the eastern wing, main dining hall, two training courtyards, bathhouse, archive tower, and part of the roof.]
[Only?]
[The kitchen survived.]
Titania remembered the screaming soup.
[That may have been a mistake.]
Venus nodded.
[It was.]
Titania looked toward the temporary base's general direction.
[Sin never told me any of this.]
[Sin probably forgot.]
[How does he forget an entire castle-sized headquarters?]
[He doesn't live in buildings. He occupies them until food runs out.]
Titania covered her face.
The Leader of the Outcasts was somehow both one of the strongest people she had ever met and a lost animal that had learned to wear a cloak.
[When will the real base be ready?]
[Two weeks, if construction remains on schedule.]
[What is it like?]
Venus's expression softened.
[Large.]
Titania waited.
[That's all?]
Venus smiled faintly.
[There's a grand hall, private quarters, an archive, laboratories, several training grounds, a forge, medical rooms, gardens, a guild office, underground storage, and enough defensive barriers to survive an army.]
Titania's imagination began filling in the spaces.
[Do I get a room?]
[Of course.]
[My own?]
Venus tilted her head.
[Did Sin tell you otherwise?]
Titania remembered the broken bed in the temporary base.
[He told me the floor was comfortable.]
Venus placed her cup down very slowly.
Titania reached across the table.
[We are having a good day.]
Venus looked toward the base.
Titania tightened her grip on Venus's wrist.
[A peaceful day.]
Venus inhaled.
Then exhaled.
[Fine.]
Titania released her.
[Thank you.]
[He's replacing the bed.]
[Agreed.]
[With his money.]
[Even better.]
Their eyes met.
A quiet understanding passed between them.
Sin was in danger.
Neither felt guilty.
The afternoon passed more easily.
Venus showed Titania several useful places around Rize.
A healer who did not report unusual wounds to the guild.
A librarian willing to lend restricted magical texts for the right price.
A restaurant that served adventurers after midnight.
A narrow alley that shortened travel to the western district by nearly twenty minutes.
Titania absorbed everything.
She asked questions constantly.
Unlike Sin, Venus answered most of them.
Mostly.
[Why does the healer not report wounds?]
[Because she has morals.]
[Why does that require secrecy?]
[Because Rize has laws.]
[Those seem like they should work together.]
[You're adorable.]
Titania frowned.
[Do not call me that.]
Venus's smile deepened.
[Noted.]
A few streets later, three drunk adventurers blocked their path.
The men wore C-Rank plates and enough confidence to prove none of them had seen Venus's face clearly.
The tallest smiled at Titania.
[New adventurer?]
Titania kept walking.
He stepped in front of her.
[Don't be rude. We're only talking.]
Venus stopped.
Titania felt the air cool.
The drunk man did not notice.
His eyes wandered over Titania's new equipment.
[Expensive clothes for an E-Rank. Got a noble paying your way?]
Titania's jaw tightened.
A day earlier, she might have looked away.
A week earlier, she might have remained silent.
Instead, she smiled.
Venus watched.
Titania tried to make it threatening.
The man frowned.
[Why do you look sick?]
Titania's eye twitched.
Venus covered her mouth.
The other adventurers laughed.
Titania's hand tightened around the Gemini Staff.
Venus stepped forward.
Her smile was flawless.
Polite.
Warm.
Utterly lethal.
[She is under the protection of the Outcast Guild.]
The laughter stopped.
The tallest man looked at Venus properly.
Color drained from his face.
[V-Venus?]
[You recognize me.]
He stepped back immediately.
The other two followed.
[We didn't know.]
Venus's eyes became colder.
[That is not an apology.]
The men bowed so quickly one struck his forehead against another's shoulder.
[We're sorry!]
Venus gestured toward Titania.
[To her.]
They turned.
Titania raised her chin.
[We apologize.]
She looked at Venus.
Venus gave the smallest nod.
Titania turned back toward the men.
[Accepted.]
They fled.
Titania watched them disappear into the crowd.
Then looked at Venus.
[They were terrified.]
[Efficient.]
[You didn't even use magic.]
[I didn't need to.]
Titania considered this.
[Teach me that too.]
[First lesson.]
Venus stepped closer and adjusted Titania's posture.
[Do not shrink when someone tries to make you feel small.]
Titania went still.
Venus gently lifted her chin.
[People will believe whatever version of you that you present with confidence.]
Titania looked into her eyes.
[Even if it isn't true?]
[Especially then.]
There it was.
The manipulation Sin had mentioned.
Not wild or cruel.
Controlled.
Practical.
Venus released her.
[Second lesson. Know when confidence is useless.]
Titania blinked.
[That contradicts the first.]
[Most useful lessons do.]
Venus continued walking.
Titania followed with a faint smile.
She liked Venus.
That realization arrived quickly enough to surprise her.
Venus was cold.
Selfish, perhaps.
Dangerous without question.
But she never treated Titania like she was fragile.
She protected her without making her feel powerless.
She corrected her without making her feel stupid.
She gave her choices.
After a lifetime of commands, choices felt like kindness.
The sun had begun to set by the time they returned to the temporary base.
The city glowed gold around them.
Rize's white towers caught the fading light, while blue crystal lamps awakened one by one along the streets. The canals reflected the colors of the evening sky, making the entire metropolis appear suspended between sunlight and starlight.
Titania carried the box of hidden pastries.
Venus carried several smaller purchases.
As they approached the base, Venus stopped.
The front door was open.
Smoke drifted outside.
Titania stared.
[Did we leave it like that?]
[No.]
A loud metallic crash echoed from within.
Then Sin shouted.
[It's under control!]
Venus closed her eyes.
Titania looked at her.
[Remember. Peaceful day.]
Venus opened her eyes.
[The day is nearly over.]
They entered.
The main hall looked worse than it had that morning.
A section of the ceiling had collapsed.
The central table had been pushed against the wall.
Several ropes stretched between support beams.
Sin hung upside down from one of them, tangled by one leg.
Below him, three enchanted training dummies ran in circles while carrying buckets of water.
The buckets were on fire.
Titania stared.
Venus stared.
Sin slowly rotated.
[Welcome back.]
Venus placed the purchases on the floor.
[Explain.]
Sin looked toward the burning water.
[Renovations.]
Titania pointed at him.
[You told me the actual base was being renovated.]
[Now both are.]
[Why is the water burning?]
[Magic.]
[That is not an explanation!]
One of the dummies crashed into another.
The flaming water spilled onto the floor.
The fire spread.
Venus lifted one hand.
The entire section froze solid.
Silence returned.
Sin continued hanging upside down.
His eyes moved toward Titania.
Then stopped.
He examined her new outfit.
The white mantle.
The dark corset.
The fitted shorts.
The belts, gloves, and armored boots.
Titania expected a joke.
Instead, Sin smiled.
Not the strange grin he wore before battle.
A small, genuine smile.
[Looks good.]
Titania blinked.
[Thank you.]
The moment lasted exactly two seconds.
Then Sin noticed the pastry box.
[What's that?]
Venus picked it up and held it away from him.
[Nothing.]
Sin began swinging on the rope.
[It smells like honey.]
Titania stepped between him and the box.
[You cannot have any.]
[I'm the leader.]
[You forgot my clothes.]
[I remembered eventually.]
[Venus remembered.]
Sin looked toward Venus.
[Delegation.]
Venus narrowed her eyes.
Sin began swinging harder.
Titania and Venus watched as he tried to reach the box while still hanging upside down.
He missed.
Swung back.
Tried again.
Missed again.
Titania looked at Venus.
[Is he always like this?]
[This is a calm day.]
Sin's fingers brushed the edge of the box.
Venus moved it one inch farther away.
He swung past it.
[That was cruel.]
[Efficient.]
Titania laughed.
Not carefully.
Not quietly.
A real laugh slipped free, bright and sudden.
Both Sin and Venus looked at her.
Titania stopped.
Her face warmed.
[What?]
Sin smiled.
[Nothing.]
Venus's expression softened.
[Nothing at all.]
Titania looked between them.
For a moment, the damaged hall did not feel temporary.
The broken furniture did not matter.
The frost on the walls did not matter.
The absurd man hanging from the ceiling and the dangerous woman guarding a box of pastries did not feel like strangers.
They felt strange.
Difficult.
Potentially catastrophic.
But not strangers.
Venus opened the box.
She handed Titania the first pastry.
Sin gasped.
[Betrayal.]
Venus took the second.
Titania took a bite.
Warm honey filled her mouth.
She smiled.
Sin continued swinging.
[There are five in the box.]
[Four,] Venus corrected.
[Three now,] Titania said.
Sin stared at them.
[This guild has no loyalty.]
Venus looked at Titania.
Titania understood immediately.
Together, they each took another pastry.
Sin went completely still.
[You monsters.]
Titania looked around the battered temporary base.
Then down at her new clothing.
At the broken slave collar she no longer wore.
At the guild plate resting against her chest.
The real Outcast Base was still under renovation.
Her room did not exist yet.
Most of the guild was still scattered across Xadia.
Her leader was hanging upside down.
Her vice captain had frozen half the building.
Nothing about her new life was stable.
Nothing was normal.
And yet, for the first time in a long while, Titania did not feel like she was waiting to be thrown away.
She felt wanted.
Not because of the Astro name.
Not because of her magic.
Not because of what she could become.
Simply because she was here.
Venus handed her the final pastry.
Sin's eyes widened in horror.
Titania looked at him.
Then at Venus.
[Should we save it?]
Venus considered the question.
Sin nodded rapidly.
Venus smiled.
[No.]
Titania took a bite.
Sin's wounded cry echoed throughout the temporary base.
Outside, the Radiant City of Rize shone beneath the evening sky.
And inside an old fortress hidden beneath its brilliance, a former slave began learning what it meant to have a home.
Even if that home was temporary.
Even if its leader was a disaster.
Even if the soup sometimes screamed.
For Titania Astro, it was enough.
For now.